ENGLAND’S failure to reach the Euro 2008 finals has raised the possibility of a ‘home championships’ series next summer featuring England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland – and the Republic of Ireland.
All five countries failed to qualify for next year’s European Championships in Austria and Switzerland – a result that cost Steve Staunton and Steve McClaren their jobs as managers of the Irish and English sides respectively.
According to an Irish soccer source, the chief executives of both Irish football associations, and those from England, Scotland and Wales, “informally” discussed the idea of a home championships competition while attending the World Cup qualifying draw in Durban, South Africa.
On Monday last, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland agreed in principle to play in a Celtic Cup which would be played on a league basis and start in 2009. However, England appear to be distancing themselves from that proposal.
England’s chances of making it to Euro 2008 ended in dismal failure after their 3–2 loss to Croatia at Wembley Stadium on 21 November. The Republic of Ireland’s attempts at qualification were equally unimpressive. Wales finished beneath Ireland in a group which saw Germany and the Czech Republic go through.
England were granted a reprieve after Israel shocked Russia 2–1 in Tel Aviv, a result that meant the English needed only to draw against Croatia in Group E to book their Euro 2008 place.
But with Croatia’s victory at Wembley, and Russia beating Andorra 1–0, the English crashed out.
Only Scotland, who were desperately unlucky to lose out against Italy, and Northern Ireland, who went into their last game against Spain with qualification still in the balance, came out of the qualifiers with any credit.
The home championships were a regular feature of the international scene in Britain up until the 1980s, although the Republic of Ireland was never involved in the tournament.
If the new home championships do go ahead, then they would provide an ideal competitive tournament ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, which will begin next autumn.
Meanwhile, last Sunday’s World Cup draw saw the Republic of Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland drawn in separate groups.
The Republic of Ireland were drawn against reigning world champions Italy, as well as Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro, in what is generally considered a tough group which Italy are expected to dominate.
However, the last time Ireland played the Italians in a competitive World Cup fixture, it was the ‘Boys in Green’ who emerged victorious, courtesy of Ray Houghton’s goal, at the 1994 World Cup finals in the USA.
England will renew their acquaintance with Croatia in Group 6, while Scotland must face Holland and Norway in their qualifying group, and Wales will meet Germany in a group which also contains Russia.
The top team in each group will qualify automatically for the World Cup in 2010, with the group runners up meeting in a play-off.
Poland can expect to be playing at home away from home when they meet Northern Ireland in their World Cup qualifying fixture at Windsor Park in Belfast, a match that is sure to attract strong support from the Ireland’s Polish community.
The Poles were drawn in a tough group with the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia and San Marino.
The 2010 World Cup will be held in South Africa, marking the first time that the world’s biggest sporting occasion is being held on the African continent.
